Extreme soreness in left breast since last night... Feels bruised... Currently using a heating pad but the thought of nursing from this side is terrifying... Any tips?
Update: after getting the chills and freaking about an infection I took a scalding hot shower and massaged the breast... Felt amazing... Pumped a bottle just in case but after reading the best remedy is nursing (ouch!) I did it ... And then I learned that I can hit some very high notes (
But it's already feeling better! I also took my prescription ibuprofen which should help with the inflammation.
Second update: at urgent care awaiting IV antibiotics... They said never to wait as long as I did to come in (it just started this morning!)... So go to a doctor at first sign of any type of breast infection it gets bad quick! Now I have all these red lines on my chest and I am stuck waiting for bloodwork!
Extreme soreness in left breast since last night... Feels bruised... Currently using a heating pad but the thought of nursing from this side is terrifying... Any tips?
Update: after getting the chills and freaking about an infection I took a scalding hot shower and massaged the breast... Felt amazing... Pumped a bottle just in case but after reading the best remedy is nursing (ouch!) I did it ... And then I learned that I can hit some very high notes (
But it's already feeling better! I also took my prescription ibuprofen which should help with the inflammation.
Second update: at urgent care awaiting IV antibiotics... They said never to wait as long as I did to come in (it just started this morning!)... So go to a doctor at first sign of any type of breast infection it gets bad quick! Now I have all these red lines on my chest and I am stuck waiting for bloodwork!
Oh no!! I'm so sorry. What made you decide to go to urgent care? The lines? I was told to go at first sign of fever plus boob pain. I hope it works quickly and you feel better very soon!!
@ElRuby I hope it gets better quick! I'm just now catching up, but I was going to say anytime you get a sore or hard spot, the worst thing you can do is not pump or nurse. It can quickly lead to a plugged duct and infection. Even though it hurts like hell, massage and pump until it goes away. I've gotten in the habit of pumping after LO eats if I know there is still milk to make sure both sides are completely drained.
For some pp, it is totally normal to produce more on one side than the other or for LO to favor one side. You can pump the non-dominant side to try to catch it up.
@virginiaunicorn11 red lines didn't appear until I got here .... I shamefully went after reading horror stories on the internet.... I was able to nurse all day and I pumped a bottle to leave for my parents who are watching her. But really glad I didn't wait until morning!
I have to go to the hospital... I am so upset ... This is going to destroy my supply
Oh no! Why are they sending you there? I hope you feel better soon and it doesn't get any worse. Is it possible for you to at least pump while you're there?
Edited: because you don't need a fourth person telling you to pump, so instead I'm just swearing at the Boob Gods with you and hoping this gets resolved quickly xo
I have to go to the hospital... I am so upset ... This is going to destroy my supply
Is it the same hospital you gave birth at? If they have a lactation consultant then try and get a consult and a pump a sap. It sucks having to go to hospital but it sounds like a nasty infection and hopefully if you hit it hard with antibiotics now you can avoid anything worse like an abscess.
@ElRuby Hope things are resolving, sounds terrible. Feel better soon.
I don't think you did anything wrong trying initially to resolve it like you did. I had mastitis over 10 times with DS1. Had antibiotics the first 2 times but then got the advice from a LC to race home, take hot showers and use hot compresses and stay in bed and nurse and pump constant for 24-48 hours. The rest and nursing would resolve it as quickly as antibiotics for me. I'm bummed it didn't work that way for you.
Make sure sure you are seeking someone that works with lactating mothers. My first mastitis visit I was told not to nurse because the milk would pass the infection. I figured out that was wrong after a few hours but it nursing gap and infection did hurt my supply.
I think I'm going to rename LO Piglet. She has been cluster feeding for 2 days. She'll nurse from both sides for 30 min and then be hungry 45 min later. I can't do anything without this child on my nipple. I can't wait until she gets on a normal eating schedule.
@Sammy K I feel ya...that's what I've called her from day one. I feel like during the day she's always attached to the boob. Yikes! I have to start pumping for a stash and I'll be tempted to give her a bottle.
I legitimately despise pumping. SO many props to you guys who exclusively pump. It is TOUGH and not for the faint of heart.
TTC: 1/2014
BFP: 9/24
EDD: 6/8/2015
Sorry for the poor man's siggy...ticker won't load regardless of how many tips I read.
I think I'm going to rename LO Piglet. She has been cluster feeding for 2 days. She'll nurse from both sides for 30 min and then be hungry 45 min later. I can't do anything without this child on my nipple. I can't wait until she gets on a normal eating schedule.
This has been my little one too... I declined the invite to our families father day bbq because I'm literally nursing all. the. time. Ugh. I know it's only temporary but geeeeeeez. lol
No crap from me I would have switched to formula a week ago if it wasn't for dh. Im a formula baby and turned out just fine! No one better give you crap! I pumping and I got the shield, the shield works way better for me but lo uses the boob like a pacifier so it takes for freaking ever to feed her! Super annoying. I pump about 2-4 Oz but only pump 3 times a day and the bf 2-3 times. Anyone else have one lazy boob? One side always produces more than the other. It's annoying, the days I've only gotten 2oz is because I just didn't drink enough water. Im really trying to focus on making sure im getting plenty of water.
LC recommended giving a practice bottle at 3 weeks to head up any issues with taking bottles...and it was a success! Wahoo! It was only 2oz because that's what she's been eating, and I used Advent bottles. I really think the fact that she takes the advent soothies helped because she was used to that kind of nipple but this time it (finally) had some breast milk at the other end. I could definitely see bottle issues if you have not used a pacifier at all because the nipple is so different (at least mine are!)
Pumping is really uncomfortable for me. The flanges are the right size...maybe I have it up too high? I'm only at the middle of the settings so who knows. I had to stop after 10 min because I was so uncomfortable. But I was able to start my freezer stash with 4oz. Happy camper!!!
TTC: 1/2014
BFP: 9/24
EDD: 6/8/2015
Sorry for the poor man's siggy...ticker won't load regardless of how many tips I read.
Well. I just gave LO a pacifier for the first time. He will be a week tomorrow. I defiantly didn't make it as far as the lactation consultant recommend... But with a two year old running around and a husband having a flair up of his chronic back issues... And me having no sleep due to EBF... It's just not practical for me to be the babies pacifier at this time. He only wanted me to hold him and have my nipple in his mouth. Didn't even really suck on it most of the time.
I know he's happier and this is what's working for our family right now... But I still feel guilty.
Edit to add this question:
Anyone else's breasts feel super soft? As if they were empty? Baby is putting out enough wet diapers so I feel like he's getting enough in... But shouldn't they feel full?
LC recommended giving a practice bottle at 3 weeks to head up any issues with taking bottles...and it was a success! Wahoo! It was only 2oz because that's what she's been eating, and I used Advent bottles. I really think the fact that she takes the advent soothies helped because she was used to that kind of nipple but this time it (finally) had some breast milk at the other end. I could definitely see bottle issues if you have not used a pacifier at all because the nipple is so different (at least mine are!)
Pumping is really uncomfortable for me. The flanges are the right size...maybe I have it up too high? I'm only at the middle of the settings so who knows. I had to stop after 10 min because I was so uncomfortable. But I was able to start my freezer stash with 4oz. Happy camper!!!
My nipples look insane after pumping... I am at a loss as to if the flanges are the right size or not. I use a 20mm nipple shield but am hesitant to go down in size bc that can apparently block flow. I need to take my pump with me to lactation soon.
Yay on the paci success. We started Friday night at 4 weeks and had to try a few brands before we had a winner. Guess it's similar to the shield... I need to get off that pretty soon. Scared for sore nipples.
Well. I just gave LO a pacifier for the first time. He will be a week tomorrow. I defiantly didn't make it as far as the lactation consultant recommend... But with a two year old running around and a husband having a flair up of his chronic back issues... And me having no sleep due to EBF... It's just not practical for me to be the babies pacifier at this time. He only wanted me to hold him and have my nipple in his mouth. Didn't even really suck on it most of the time.
I know he's happier and this is what's working for our family right now... But I still feel guilty.
Edit to add this question:
Anyone else's breasts feel super soft? As if they were empty? Baby is putting out enough wet diapers so I feel like he's getting enough in... But shouldn't they feel full?
I didn't make it a week before starting a pacifier. I'm in the same same boat - LO just likes my nipple in her mouth. Which has led to oversupply and possible engorgement. So I'm pumping and hoping the pacifier helps curb the oversupply. I hate pumping and didn't want to start this early on.
I can't help with your question, mine are hard and uncomfortable.
I gave her a pacifier after 24 hours. Never looked back. Right now she only takes the soothies but I keep trying to get her to take the MAM because I got like 40 for free and apparently they don't fall out of the mouth as easy.
My breasts are always soft now after the initial 2 weeks of engorgement
TTC: 1/2014
BFP: 9/24
EDD: 6/8/2015
Sorry for the poor man's siggy...ticker won't load regardless of how many tips I read.
Same here. I haven't had the full tight feeling in almost two weeks. We got a chicco pacifier with LO's car seat and he will take it occasionally. I'm going to start pumping tomorrow to get him ready for me to go back to work. I hope we have a bottle that he will take! I'm so scared he will have problems with that.
Any advice on how to begin pumping for back to work??
I apologize if someone's already asked this question... But it seems like my milk supply is less than it was, is it too late to try to boost it back up with more frequent feedings? I plan on trying the fenugreek and eat a healthy diet and drink tons of water. Lo is 2 weeks on Tuesday.
We gave a pacifier right away in the hospital. Well the nurses did lol but I didn't care. So she uses it, we use a nipple shield, AND we have been switching to formula for most feedings and she took to a bottle right away. No nipple confusion for this little girl. Pretty happy about that. Breast feeding has gotten easier like they said it would. And I've becoming to enjoy it a little more as well. But with going back to nursing school and waitressing there's just no way I can carry a pump a long with everywhere I go so we are in the process of incorporating formula for most of her feedings. at first I thought I was going to completely switch to just formula but now that BF has gotten easier I don't want to rule it all out. So I think we will continue to BF for a few feedings a day very happy our baby is forgiving and flexible with us
I apologize if someone's already asked this question... But it seems like my milk supply is less than it was, is it too late to try to boost it back up with more frequent feedings? I plan on trying the fenugreek and eat a healthy diet and drink tons of water. Lo is 2 weeks on Tuesday.
Does your LO seem to be satisfied after feeds, gaining weight and making lots of wet and dirty nappies? It may just be that your body is regulating to your babies needs rather than making the oversupply that can happen when your milk first comes in.
@aliciaspinnet he poops about 2-3 times a day and wets about 6 but it's never much. Every time I've pumped I've barely filled the bottom of a bottle. He never cries afterwards but lost a lb since birth.
@amabarne I was told a few different options by an LC. one was to only feed off one breast and pump the other (not for me, I always feed off both and she empties both). Or to pump after feedings, or to add an extra feeding as a pump session in. I'm doing a combo of the last two because right now she's eating every 2 hours so it's not practical to add an extra feeding in as a pump session. There's also good info if you google "power pumping" on how to get a good amount.
TTC: 1/2014
BFP: 9/24
EDD: 6/8/2015
Sorry for the poor man's siggy...ticker won't load regardless of how many tips I read.
Re: Breastfeeding sucks (but it gets better) - A support thread
For some pp, it is totally normal to produce more on one side than the other or for LO to favor one side. You can pump the non-dominant side to try to catch it up.
Glad you're getting help! I has mastitis and just finished my antibiotics. It's no joke. I hope you can get home to LO soon!
Is everything okay?! Can DH bring LO up there so you can nurse?
Edited: because you don't need a fourth person telling you to pump, so instead I'm just swearing at the Boob Gods with you and hoping this gets resolved quickly xo
I don't think you did anything wrong trying initially to resolve it like you did. I had mastitis over 10 times with DS1. Had antibiotics the first 2 times but then got the advice from a LC to race home, take hot showers and use hot compresses and stay in bed and nurse and pump constant for 24-48 hours. The rest and nursing would resolve it as quickly as antibiotics for me. I'm bummed it didn't work that way for you.
Make sure sure you are seeking someone that works with lactating mothers. My first mastitis visit I was told not to nurse because the milk would pass the infection. I figured out that was wrong after a few hours but it nursing gap and infection did hurt my supply.
I legitimately despise pumping. SO many props to you guys who exclusively pump. It is TOUGH and not for the faint of heart.
Almost 24 hours later, I am finally over last night's engorgement. Found myself saying, "I hope he only sleeps three hours at a time tonight." Blech!
Pumping is really uncomfortable for me. The flanges are the right size...maybe I have it up too high? I'm only at the middle of the settings so who knows. I had to stop after 10 min because I was so uncomfortable. But I was able to start my freezer stash with 4oz. Happy camper!!!
I know he's happier and this is what's working for our family right now... But I still feel guilty.
Edit to add this question:
Anyone else's breasts feel super soft? As if they were empty? Baby is putting out enough wet diapers so I feel like he's getting enough in... But shouldn't they feel full?
Yay on the paci success. We started Friday night at 4 weeks and had to try a few brands before we had a winner. Guess it's similar to the shield... I need to get off that pretty soon. Scared for sore nipples.
I can't help with your question, mine are hard and uncomfortable.
My breasts are always soft now after the initial 2 weeks of engorgement
Any advice on how to begin pumping for back to work??
We gave a pacifier right away in the hospital. Well the nurses did lol but I didn't care. So she uses it, we use a nipple shield, AND we have been switching to formula for most feedings and she took to a bottle right away. No nipple confusion for this little girl. Pretty happy about that.
Breast feeding has gotten easier like they said it would. And I've becoming to enjoy it a little more as well. But with going back to nursing school and waitressing there's just no way I can carry a pump a long with everywhere I go so we are in the process of incorporating formula for most of her feedings. at first I thought I was going to completely switch to just formula but now that BF has gotten easier I don't want to rule it all out. So I think we will continue to BF for a few feedings a day